Climate change and environmental disasters in Latin America will be a huge problem that severely damages the world's ecological health. However, I do not think it will backfire; I think China will use the region's weakened state to increase its influence further.

China is quickly becoming a challenge for the United States to handle in Latin America. This document did a fantastic job explaining some of the histories between Latin America, the Caribbean, and China. The history between China and Latin America has primarily been based on cooperation and development. Development in Latin America is not itself concerning for US interests in Latin America; however, China growing its own sphere of influence in the region poses potential security risks for the United States. The United States has also expressed its concern with predatory loan granting as a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Latin American countries will have to start owing China more money giving China competing influence with the United States.

I am not so sure that surveilling Latin America is in the best interests of US citizens or the citizenry of Latin American countries. Collaborating with Latin American governments and their security services would likely be a more cost-effective way of handling foreign threats in Latin America.

I think we need to examine the idea of the United States keeping Latin America in check. In the past, efforts to keep Latin America in check have led to some disastrous results, such as during the Cold War. Today I do not believe the United States should be in the game of keeping Latin America in check but instead should be working with Latin America, which in turn will prevent foreign powers from establishing strong footholds in the region.

As the United States is pulling out of Afghanistan, it is important to keep an eye on Latin America. As troops are leaving the Middle East, the United States could refocus attention on its southern neighbors. Latin American countries are establishing new ties with Russia, China, and Iran, making the United States compete for influence in what it has historically considered its own turf. The United States has found itself in a race against Russia and China to distribute vaccines in Latin America to secure good COVID relations with Latin American countries. China leverages its economic output to attract Latin American countries into doing business with China. By doing business with China, the Chinese can influence Latin American states into standing with China on issues such as Taiwan, the Uyghurs, and Hong Kong. Chinese technology is also gaining popularity in Latin America, where Huwaei now competes with American technology firms. Huwai in Latin America is also of concern to American security due to the connections between the company and the Chinese government. The United States must curate a good relationship between the United States and Latin America. Foreign threats could threaten the security of the whole continent.

The United States, in my opinion, should focus on creating or maintaining good ties with all Latin American countries, regardless of our current relationship with them. Latin America is home to resources that our country would benefit from. If we can support Latin American governments now, then in the future, both parties will benefit economically.

Solving problems at the source is the best way to prevent them from reaching the United States. It is crucial for our own domestic security to promote good relations with all Latin American governments, even if we have poor relations with them currently. It is better for the United States if Latin America is on our side, so helping Latin America now will pay off tomorrow.

The United States has long had interests in Latin America. Today Latin America is dealing with instability, corruption, conflict, and potential future instability in part due to the resources that are in the interests of the United States to preserve. It was incredible reading the document's discussion of Haiti, whose president was recently assassinated. Moving forward, the United States should seek to uplift Latin America, as opposed to conquering it. China, Russia, and Iran are already extending their influence into Latin America. The United States must collaborate with governments in Latin America to combat drugs, human trafficking, and corruption in the region.

I did not consider that the involvement of more countries in the Arctic council, even as observers, could lead to issues, although it seems obvious. Finland wants more countries involved, and the document states that Finland is trying to get the EU as an official observer on the council. The combination of the EU, Russia, the United States, and all China having roles in the council will undeniably lead to diplomatic conflict. That being said, if the permanent council members can focus on stability, any extra noise can mostly be ignored.

I also found the circular economy idea interesting, and I wish the document explained it at greater length. For the circular economy idea to be successful, I believe Finland must actively encourage other Arctic states to do the same. Even if Finland is successful on its own, the positive effects would be diminished by other states refusing to achieve a similar goal,

Finland is an instrumental player in Arctic affairs due to the threat it faces from ice melting and its border with the Russian Federation. Because of its proximity to Russia, Finland has a large incentive to play the role of a moderator between the Arctic council. The document of the day confirms Finland's commitment towards cooperation and peaceful engagement in the Arctic and emphasizes Finland's interests in Arctic dialogue. Finland wants the Arctic council to work together on scientific research, ensuring indigenous participation and environmental protections. What I found very interesting from this document was Finland's goal of increasing the importance of the Arctic in the European Union. I believe that Finland's goal is to increase the attention the EU gives to the Arctic in hopes that the EU will take greater actions to combat climate change and enhance security measures in the Arctic.

The future effects of climate change are why the United States has to be proactive in its efforts to ensure peace and diplomacy in the Arctic. Because of the threat posed by Russia, Canada, and the United States should be in lockstep in agreement on key Arctic issues, including climate change which, as you mentioned, poses a huge risk to both Canada and the United States. I hope that DHS involvement serves as a positive step for the United States' role in the Arctic, especially regarding disaster preparedness.

China and Russia are undoubtedly the two biggest threats facing the United States interests in the Arctic. With Russia now in the position of Arctic Council Chairman, we should expect and be prepared for an increase in Russian and Chinese collaboration defying the United States and American Arctic allies' influence. Because Russia encompasses the largest amount of territory in the Arctic, its influence cannot be underestimated.

It is no surprise that the Department of Homeland Security is increasing its role in the Arctic. As outlined in the document, the Arctic contains many valuable minerals and resources such as oil that the United States and its adversaries both desire. The Arctic is also of great importance for trade, culture, and ecology for Arctic Council members and observer states. Because of the Arctic's importance, I believe it is a must that all Arctic countries and observers commit to a peaceful Arctic and continue to engage in good-faith dialogue about the future of the Arctic. Russia plays a large role in the Arctic as its borders stretch across it. Russia knows very well how important the Arctic is, so I was enthused to see that the DHS is taking steps to enhance cybersecurity for undersea cable networks in response to recent Russian cyberattacks on American infrastructure. Russia regained the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in July and will retain the position until 2023. As the document suggests, and I concur, Russia will use this role to advance its interests in the Arctic. Other Arctic Council states have to be prepared to collaborate if Russian interests threaten their security.

I had never heard of China's polar silk road plan, and I will for sure read more into it. I am hopeful that the existence of an Arctic council will help mitigate China's ability to influence Arctic states. Despite only being an observer, I have little to no doubt that China will be a huge player in Arctic affairs in the future.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this post, Chris. Because the Arctic council provides a space for Arctic states to deliberate, we can be hopeful that the Arctic will be a place of collaboration in the future instead of contention.

I am happy to see the Arctic getting the attention it deserves as it will be of increasing importance for defense and trade due to ice melting, creating new routes for maritime travel. The Ottawa Declaration is a great step towards having a peaceful non militarized, and non-competitive relationship between the Arctic states. I was enthralled to read about the commitments towards ensuring good relations between the Arctic states and the native peoples of the Arctic, who will be the first to face the consequences if Arctic coexistence is not achieved. Due to the effects of climate change, protecting the Arctic ecology needs to be a priority, and it is reassuring that the Ottowa Declaration affirms that Arctic states will be working towards protecting the Arctic's ecology. If all goes well, the Ottowa Declaration could become a significant first step towards building a better relationship between the Russian Federation, the United States, and all the other members of the Arctic states.

I do not think Russia and Iran need to be successful in their hacking efforts to undermine the integrity of our elections. The fact that Russia and Iran are trying to interfere with our elections likely does enough to raise concerns in Americans over the integrity and legitimacy of our elections. In 2016 even though little evidence supports the theory that Russia directly hacked our election, it started to raise the doubt that our elections are safe and secure. In my opinion, raising doubt in our elections alone is a big win for Russia.

It is undeniable that politicians have started to take aim at election security at home and abroad. One of the biggest issues, I believe, is the lack of education on our electoral process. Most Americans know the basics of how our elections work; however, they are uninformed on details such as election security. Hopefully, we will see more people become informed by the time of our next presidential race.

This is a very important document for Americans to read because it confirms that there are attempts by foreign powers to manipulate our democracy, but our democracy has remained strong! However, it concerns me that the issue of election manipulation has become a baton for political opponents to try and hit each other with. To resolve that part of the problem, our security and intelligence communities should keep Americans as up-to-date as possible with election security information during an election cycle.